Washing machine



1943 B. A. BENSON 2,309,617

WASHING MACHINE Original Filed April 14. 1938 1 fl H n I H/I/lIi/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIA INVENTOR.

Patented Jan. 26, 1943 WASHING MACHINE Bernhart A. Benson, Chicago,Ill., assignor to Chicago Electric Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill.,a corporation of Illinois Original application April 14, 1938, SerialNo. 201,947. Divided and this application October 30, 1940, Serial No.363,449

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to a washing machine and particularly to adevice of the class wherein the removal of dirt from the articles to bewashed is accomplished through the creatio of a turbulence in thewashing fluid.

The present invention more specifically comprehends the provision of awashing machine of the class wherein an agitator is supported within awashing compartment or container and is mounted for oscillationpreferably being actuated in a rotary movement from a source of powerdisposed above the agitator.

The present invention yet further comprehends the provision of a washingmachine having a washing compartment with .a generally superposed,removable cover, comprising power means for actuating the agitator.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improvedfrictional engaging means for supporting and sealing the cover withrespect to the washing compartment, said engaging means comprising astructure of frictional material, adapted to operatively center thecover, and, accordingly. the drive means with r spect to.the partsdriven thereby and to engage the cover and the tub in such a manner asto prevent the relative movement between the tub and cover under thereactive influences of the agitator driving forces. The presentinvention accomplishes this object by rendering the coverfreelyremovable at all times.

Numerous other objects and advantages will more fully appear during thecourse and progress of the following specification.

The present application is a division of my copending application,Serial No. 201,947, filed April 14, 1933, for an improvement in aWashing machine, now matured intoPatent No. 2,224,806.

Referring to th drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation taken central- 1y through the/washingmachine of Figure 1, on the line 2-2 thereof;

.Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in in which the articles to bewashed are immersed.

I0 comprises a cylindrical, upstanding wall l2, open at the upper end,closed at the lower end by the transverse bottom wall l4. It should benoted that the upper edgeof the wall I2 is turned over to form anannular, rounded bead l6, providing a supporting foundation for theannular friction sea] H! which supports and retains the removable coverassembly 20 against movement relative to the tub l0. g

The agitator 22 of the washing machine is mounted and positioned forrotation upon a pivot pin or pintle 24, which is rigidly securedcentr'ally of the bottom wall l4 ofthe tub or vessel I0 by means of thenut 26. v The pivot pin 24 further comprises a radially extendingshoulder or flange 28 for taking the thrust resulting from the weight ofthe agitator and for spacing the agitator from the bottom wall of thevessel sufliciently to permit rotation. The agitator may comprise threeagitating blades 30, secured to a central column 3|. The column isprovided at its lower end with a downwardly opening, axially extendingbearing 32, providing a recess adapted to receive the pivot or pintle24. In other words, the fixed pin 24 is in effect journaled within therecess 32, the inner wall of which provides the bearing surface. v Itwill be noted that the journal provided by the pivot 24 and the recess32 is within the normal washing zone, and for this reason it is notdesirable to lubricate the removable parts thereof in the usual manner.Since the agitator 22 may be operating under a relatively heavy load, itis important to reduce the friction at this point and to this end thereis provided an aperture 34 in the side of the column 3|. Theapertureestablishes connection sectional elevation for betterillustrating the tub and cover sealing construction; and

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing a modified form oftub andcover sealing construction.

The device shown for the purpose ofillustrating the present invention,comprises a suitable vessel, tub or container forming a washingcompartment for enclosing a body of washing fluid between the recess 32and the washing zone exteriorly of the column. As a result, the soapyfluid normally employed in the washing operation passes freely throughthe aperture 34 as indicated by the arrow in Figure 2, and may, due tothe influence of normal turbulence, circulate about the pintle 24, aswell as the upper bearing surfaces of the flange 28, in order to reducethe friction. The upper end of the column 3| of the agitator has pinnedthereto as at 36 the sleeve or bushing 38, engageable with a hexagonalstub drive shaft 40 of the drive mechanism, to be hereinafter describedmore in detail.

The cover 20 of the washing vessel I 0 has a convex-concave centralportion with the convex surface facing upward. The central portion ofthe cover extends gradually downwardly to a lowermost flat, horizontalannular portion 42, which merges into an upwardly extending, inclined,an-

nular flange 44, the flange 44 terminating in the horizontal, outwardlyprojecting flange 46. The seal I8 is composed of a resilient, frictionalmaterial and has a U-shaped, annular portion 48, which engages and fitsabout the flange 46, as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3. The lowerbranch of the U-shaped, annular portion 48 merges into the downwardlyinclined, annular portion or section 50, which fits about and residesagainst the lower surface of the inclined annular portion or flange 44.The downwardly inclined, annular section or wall 50 of the resilientsealing member has projecting therefrom a pair of outwardly extending,spaced annular ribs, flanges or lips 52. The ribs, flanges or lips 52have an annular periphery of greater diameter than the inner wall orsurface of the tub l and therefore, when the cover is brought intooperative position with respect to the tub ID the lips serve to centerthe cover with respect to the tub. This feature is of considerableimportance in connection with devices of the present class because itpermits greater manufacturing tolerances between the cover and tub andhence permits the tubs and covers to be manufactured much moreexpeditiously than prior devices of this type in which the permissibletolerances between the cover and the tub were necessarily small. Inspite of relatively large variations in the relative size of the parts,the annular, outwardly extending, resilient ribs, flanges or lips willflex sufficiently to adjust themselves to the space between the coverand the inner wall surface of the tub. It is moreover important to notethat since these lips 52 extend completely about the periphery of thecover and the inner wall of the tub, they can compress resilientlyagainst the inner wall of the container at all points, so that when thecover is placed on the tub these lips center the cover with respect tothe container with considerable accuracy and prevent the escape ofwashing fluid from between the cover and the tub, even though thedimensional tolerances between the annular flange 44 of the cover andthe inner wall surface of the tub may be relatively great. Theresilient, frictional engagement of the lips 52 with the inner wallsurface of the tub, and the frictional engagement of the lower branch ofthe U-shaped portion 48 with the bead l6 restrain the cover againstrotation relative to the tub due to the reactive forces generated by theoscillation of the agitator in the body of washing fluid in the tub.

The cover 20 is provided with a pair of steam or vapor vents comprisingapertures 54, in which are loosely mounted valve or closure members 56(Figure 2). Each closure member comprises a central body portion of asmaller diameter than the diameter of the associated aperture 54, and ahead portion of greater diameter than the associated aperture, so as tocover the aperture as shown in Figure 2. The head portion of the closuremember therefore extends for a relatively great distance beyond the edgeof the aperture, so as to cause the steam or vapor to be directed alongthe outer surface of the cover. In other words, as opposed to liberatingsteam vapors directly outwardly of the cover and possibly toward theoperator, the enlarged head portions of the valve members direct theescaping vapors in a direction radially of the cover, thereby to expendthe force of the steam harmlessly against the cover.

The driving unit for. the washing machine is indicated generally by thereference numeral 58 and comprises an electric motor 60, arranged withina housing 62, the drive shaft of the motor being alined in generallyvertical relationship above the central column 3| of the agitator whenthe cover is in normal, operative, centralized relationship with thetub. The housing 62 is cylindrical and enclosed at its upper end as at64, the lower end being open and provided with an outwardly projectingflange 66, bolted to the central portion of the cover about a centralopening in the cover.

The housing 62 also encloses a transmission unit 68 which is secured tothe central portion of the cover as by screws III. This transmissionunit 68 may be the same as that disclosed in my copending applicationSerial No. 175,450, filed No vember 19, 1937 now matured into Patent No.2,203,664, and its specific structure forms no part of the presentinvention. The purpose of this transmission unit 68 is to convert theradial movement of the shaft I6 into an oscillating movement suitablefor driving the agitator, preferably in a short, reversing, arcuatemotion. The hexagonal stub shaft hereinbefore described delivers thepower transmitted through the transmission unit directly to the agitatorby interlocking with the hexagonal recess in the bushing 38.

The upper end of the motor shaft is provided with a fan 12, whichsupplies a draft of air to the motor through a plurality of slits orlouvres 14 (Figure l) in the top wall 64 of the housing 62.

In use the agitator is driven through the agency of power originating inthe motor 60 and transmitted through the transmission unit 68 to thestub shaft 40. The cover, and the driving I mechanism therewith, can beremoved at any time by merely lifting the assembly as a unit so that thestub shaft 40 is retracted from the recess in the sleeve 38. Thereuponthe agitator may be freely lifted from the pivot or pintle 24 tocomplete disassembly of the apparatus for storage or cleaning. Foroperation the parts may be assembled in reverse order, with a body v ofsoapy liquid and the articles to be washed arranged within thecompartment formed by the vessel It. Electrical power is supplied to themotor through the agency of the electrical conduit 15 until theturbulence produced by the agitator has sufficiently carried out thewashing process.

In a modified form of cover sealing structure, shown in Figure 4, anannular strip 18 of highly resilient material, such as sponge rubber, ismounted as by vulcanizing upon the downwardly inclined wall portion orsection of the friction sealing member i8. Accordingly, when the cover20 is placed on the washing container or the tub, as hereinbeforementioned, the highly resilient sponge rubber annular strip 18 flexesupwardly and is compressed against the inner surface of the container toseal the opening between the cover and the container and center thecover with respect to the container, so that the drive mechanism,including the stub shaft 40, will be properly centralized for engagementwith the recess of the sleeve 38 of the agitator.

It will be understood'that the sealing member l8 may be formed of rubberor any other suitable resilient frictional material.

The present invention provides a highly simplified washing machine,capable of being produced at low cost, and in which frictional engagingmeans support and seal the cover with respect to the washingcompartment, so that the loss of washing fluid is prevented, the coversealed against movement due to the reactive influences of the agitatordrive forces, and com- 1. An appliance of the class described com-'prising a washing vessel having an aperture defined by an upper rim of avertically extending wall, a cover for sealing said aperture comprisingoutstanding flange portions adapted to rest upon a rim of the apertureand a downwardly extending flange disposed inwardly, of said first namedflange adapted to reside in spaced relation to the wall of said vesseljust below said rim, resilient frictional means mounted on said coverand embracing said first named flange,

said resilient frictional means having a section extending downwardlyand contacting the surface of said downwardly extending flange, saiddownwardly extending section being provided with an outwardly extendingperipheral projection of flexible material disposed in spaced relationbelow said flange embracing portion constructed and arranged to flex andyield radially inwardly and having its outer margin extending outwardlya sufficient distance to engage the inner wall of the vesselforyieldably centering the. cover and frictionally resisting relativerotation.

2. An appliance of the class described comprising a washing vesselhaving an aperture defined by an upper rim of a vertically extendingwall, a cover for sealing said aperture comprising outstanding flangeportions adapted to rest 'upon a rim of the aperture and a downwardlyextending flange disposed inwardly of said first named flange adapted toreside in spaced relation to the wall of said vessel just below saidrim, resilient frictional means mounted on said cover and embracing saidfirst named flange, said resilient frictional means having a sectionextending downwardly and contacting the surface of said downwardlyextending flange, said downwardly extending section being provided withan outwardly extending peripheral flange-like projection of flexiblematerial disposed in spaced relation below said flange embracing portionconstructed and arranged to flex and yield radially inwardly and havingits outer margin extending outwardly a sufficient distance to engage theinner wall of the vessel for yieldably centering the cover andfrictionally resisting relative rotation.

3. An appliance of the class described comprising a washing vesselhaving an aperture defined by an upper rim of a vertically extendingwall, a cover for sealing said aperture comprising outstanding flangeportions adapted to rest upon a rim of the aperture and a downwardlyextending flange disposed inwardly of said first named flange adapted toreside in spaced relation to the wall of said vessel just below saidrim, resilient frictional means mounted on said cover and embracing saidfirst named flange, said resilient frictional means having a sectionextending downwardly and contacting the surface of said downwardlyextending flange, said downwardly extending section being provided witha plurality of vertically spaced outwardly extending peripheralflange-like projections of flexible material disposed in spaced relationbelow said flange embracing portion construc-ted and arranged to flexand yield radially inwardly and having their outer i margins projectingoutwardly a sufficient distance to engage the inner wall of the vesselfor yieldably centering the cover and frictionally 'resisting relativerotation,

4, An appliance of the class described comprising a washing vesselhaving an aperture defined by an annular upper rim of a verticallyextending wall, a cover for sealing said aperture comprising outstandingannular flange portions adapted'to rest upon the rim of the aperture anda downwardly extending annular flange disposed inwardly of said firstnamed flange and adapted to reside in spaced relation to the wall of thevessel just below the rim, resilient frictional means mounted on saidcover and embracing said first named flange, said resilient frictionalmeans having an annular section extending downwardly and contacting thesurface of said downwardly "extending flange, said downwardly extendingsectionbeing provided with outwardly extending peripheral flange-likeprojection means of flexible material disposed in spaced relation belowsaid flange embracing portion constructed and arranged to flex and yieldradially inwardly and having annular outer margin extending outwardlyfor compr ssive engagement with the wall of said washing vessel forengaging the inner surface of said wall and yieldably centering thecover and frictionally resisting relative rotation.

5. An appliance of the class described comprising a washing vesselhaving an aperture defined by an upper rim of a vertically extendingwall, a cover for sealing said aperture comprising outstanding flangeportions adapted to rest upon a rim of the aperture and a downwardly andinwardly inclined flange disposed inwardly of said first named flangeadapted to reside in spaced relation to the wall of said vessel justbelow said rim, resilient frictional means mounted on said cover andembracing said first named flange, said resilient frictional meanshaving a sec-tion extending downwardly and contactingv the surface ofsaid downwardly extending flange, said downwardly extending sectionbeing provided with an outwardly extending peripheral flangelikeprojection of flexibl material disposed in spaced relation below saidflange embracing portion constructed and arranged to flex and yieldradially inwardly and having its outer margin extending outwardly asuflicient distance to engage the inner wall of the vessel for yieldablycentering the cover and frictionally resisting relative rotation.

6. An appliance of the class described comprising a washing vesselhaving an aperture defined by an upper rim of a vertically extendingwall, a cover for sealing said aperture comprising outstanding flangeportions adapted to rest upon a rim of the aperture and a downwardlyextending flange disposed inwardly of said first named flange adapted toreside in spaced relation to the wall of said vessel just below saidrim, resilient frictional means mounted on said cover and embracing saidfirst named flange, said resilient frictional means having a sectionextending downwardly and contacting the surface of said downwardlyextending flange, said downwardly extending section being provided withan outwardly xtending peripheral projection of flexible materialdisposed in spaced relation below said flange embracing portionconstructed and arranged to flex and yield radially inwardly and havingits outer margin extending outwardly a sutficient distance to engage theinner wall 01 the vessel for yield-

